Chapter 42 - 39: Renting a House
Sun Yu snapped out of his daze and quickly grabbed the sheets of scratch paper. "Master, I’ll get this organized right away."
He took a deep breath, forcing down his shock. He opened his laptop, created a new Word document, and began meticulously typing out the content Chen Lin had written down, along with the explanation he’d just given.
The compilation process was a little slower than Chen Lin had expected.
After all, Sun Yu had only heard the explanation once, and he wasn’t completely clear on some of the details and logical transitions between the steps.
"Master, about that micro-segment curvature calculation... the three-point circle method you mentioned, could you go over it in a bit more detail?" Sun Yu asked, looking back sheepishly as he typed.
"Sure." Chen Lin, who was watching a presentation with his headphones on, took one earbud off. He explained concisely, "You take three consecutive discrete points, P_{i-1}, P_i, and P_{i+1}. These three points can define a unique circle. The curvature of this circle can then be used as an approximation for the instantaneous curvature at the middle point, P_i."
Seeing that Sun Yu still looked completely lost, he simply grabbed a blank sheet of scratch paper, quickly sketched a diagram, and wrote down the calculation formula.
"Look, curvature is just the reciprocal of the radius. And the radius of this circle, R, can be calculated using the coordinates of these three points with the formula for the circumradius of a triangle. Specifically..."
Chen Lin patiently explained it to him again.
Almost half an hour later, with Chen Lin’s help filling in the gaps a few times, Sun Yu finally finished compiling a logically clear PDF document complete with diagrams and text. He checked it over twice, and after confirming there were no mistakes, he solemnly sent it to President Peng via encrypted email.
When the "Email Sent Successfully" notification popped up, Sun Yu let out a long sigh, his whole body slumping into his chair with a look of immense relief.
"Master, thank you for all your hard work!"
Chen Lin glanced at the time in the bottom-right corner of the screen. The entire consultation, from start to finish, had taken less than two and a half hours.
’Sun Yu had spent over an hour studying the solution on his own, and another half an hour plus compiling the document. The actual time I spent explaining things added up to less than an hour. Even faster than last time.’
"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going," Chen Lin said, closing his laptop and preparing to pack his things. "Also, stop calling me Master. Just call me Chen Lin."
"Ma... Chen, wait a second!" Sun Yu quickly called out to him. "There’s one more thing."
He sat up straight in his chair, his expression turning serious. "President Peng gave specific instructions. The company plans to rent an apartment for you off-campus."
Seeing Chen Lin raise an eyebrow, Sun Yu quickly added, "As for me, President Peng’s suggestion was that, if you don’t mind, we could rent a two-bedroom place together. Besides helping with consultations, I could also run errands for you. Of course, if you want to live alone, then I’ll just find a separate place in the same residential complex or apartment building. The company will cover the rent for everything."
’This President Peng is really sparing no expense to lock me in for the long haul,’ Chen Lin thought to himself after hearing the offer.
Still, the offer to rent a place off-campus was certainly tempting.
He mulled it over carefully.
’First, I’ve already decided to transfer my major to the math department next semester.’
’According to university regulations, dorms are reassigned after a student changes their major. I’d most likely get stuck in some boys’ dorm in the School of Mathematical Sciences that has an open bed.’
’I’ve been living with the three goofballs in room 406 for almost two years now; we know each other’s personalities and routines like the back of our hands.’
’If I could keep living with them, I’d be more than happy to.’
’But getting a bunch of completely new roommates? That’s too big of a gamble.’
’Rather than betting on luck, it’d be much better to just get my own place. It would be quieter and I’d have more freedom.’
’Second, and more importantly, my consulting work is bound to increase. Whether it’s for President Peng’s design institute or potential clients from Xianyu, I’ll inevitably need to work late at night.’
’I can’t keep running to a cheap hotel next to campus to get a room in the middle of the night, like I did last time, right?’
At this thought, Chen Lin made his decision.
’It just means I’ll have to say goodbye to those three goofballs in my dorm.’
He sighed, a sudden pang of reluctance in his heart.
’Oh well. All good things must come to an end.’
’I did promise to treat them to a barbecue on the fourth floor of the cafeteria before summer break. I’ll tell them about it then.’
"I’d prefer to live alone," Chen Lin said to Sun Yu. "It doesn’t need to be big; a one-bedroom or a studio is fine. Just help me find a smaller place. I’m not picky—as long as it has basic furniture, appliances, and an internet connection, it’ll work."
"Okay, Chen, no problem! You can count on me!" Sun Yu readily agreed. He quickly packed his things and stood up. "I’ll get going, then. I’ll contact you once I find a suitable apartment!"
After Sun Yu left, the study room returned to its usual quiet.
Chen Lin glanced at the time. It wasn’t even five, so there was still a while until dinner. He composed himself and prepared to continue reviewing the presentation and his notes.
Just as he picked up his pen, he suddenly remembered something.
Chen Lin took out his phone, opened WeChat, and sent messages to Shen Yan and Yunqing.
The message was simple, just a single sentence: I went for a check-up today, and the doctor said everything’s fine.
Almost at the exact same moment he sent the message, a red notification bubble appeared on Yunqing’s avatar.
Yunqing: [That’s great! I’m so relieved(≧◡≦)♪]
A few seconds later, more messages popped up in quick succession.
Yunqing: [Hey, junior! Are you free tonight?]
Yunqing: [Our band is having our first rehearsal in the new practice room, and I’d love for you to come be our audience! (｡>ㅅ<｡)]
Yunqing: [I told everyone you’re an amazing singer, so you have to show us what you’ve got! ヾ(･ω･*)ﾉ]
Looking at the string of messages, Chen Lin smiled and used the excuse he’d already prepared that morning.
Chen Lin: [Sorry, senior. I have to start cramming for my final exams this week, so my schedule is a little tight.]
Chen Lin: [I’ll definitely come support your band when I have time after summer break!]
Yunqing: [Aww, what a shame (╥﹏╥)]
Yunqing: [Well, good luck with your studies! Hope you get all 90s on your finals, junior! p(^-^q)]
After handling Yunqing, Chen Lin was about to close WeChat when he saw a reply from Shen Yan.
It was in her signature, concise style.
Shen Yan: [Okay, got it.]
Chen Lin looked at the three words, about to lock his phone.
But the screen lit up again. It was a second message from Shen Yan.
Shen Yan: [If you feel unwell again in the future, you can tell me. I’ll go to the hospital with you.]
Staring at the message, Chen Lin’s fingers, which were holding the phone, paused.
He could just imagine the earnest and concerned look on Shen Yan’s face as she typed out that message.
A strange warmth spread through his chest.
Chen Lin: [[OK][OK]]
Putting his phone away, Chen Lin leaned back in his chair, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curling into a slight smile.
’I have to admit,’ he thought, ’this feeling of being cared about is actually pretty nice.’
’But for now, my focus still has to be on self-improvement and making money.’
He shook his head, clearing the random thoughts from his mind, and focused his attention back on the presentation and class notes in front of him.